BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Samar Colleges, Inc. (SCI) took a bold leap once more towards global visibility as the Commission on Higher Education International Affairs Service (CHED IAS), in partnership with the host region, CHED Negros Island Region, launched its two-day Filipino Leaders in Advancing International Reputation (FLAIR) Masterclass 2026 – Visayas Leg on September 8 to 9, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City. Various higher education institutions from across the Visayas Region attended.
Anchored on the theme “Beyond Rankings: Strengthening Global Reputation,” the masterclass opened with promising discussions on day one, featuring a series of high-level talks on research productivity, internationalization, and sustainability metrics. Representing Samar College in the gathering were Mr. Victor M. Plasabas Jr., OIC Director for Institutional Research, Innovation, and Services for Extension, and Mr. Donald P. Oliveros, Overall Coordinator for Programs Development and Quality Assurance.
The opening discussions underscored that global reputation is built through sustained institutional work rather than through rankings alone. The resource speakers emphasized the need to strengthen research and extension as foundations of innovation, produce consistent and credible scholarly outputs, and understand how reputation, research citations, internationalization, and institutional data contribute to global assessments. They also highlighted the importance of strategic evidence-building, sound data management, institutional collaboration, and deliberate efforts to translate local initiatives into outcomes that can gain wider recognition.
The first day concluded with a commitment signing and photo opportunity, symbolizing the collective pledge of participating institutions to strengthen the Philippines' visibility and standing in the international higher education community.
On the second day, September 9, the masterclass moved from discussion to practical assessment and application. The morning sessions featured workshops on gauging the readiness of universities to undertake the WURI Rankings, THE Sustainability Impact Rankings, and QS Rankings. The sessions provided participants with a clearer view of the institutional preparations, evidence, data, and strategic considerations needed to participate meaningfully in international ranking and reputation-building initiatives.
The program also included an awarding ceremony and closing remarks, followed by an afternoon orientation on the SUC Travel Assessment Portal. This final component broadened the day's focus from rankings and reputation to practical systems that support institutional international engagement and assessment. Together, the two-day program reinforced the importance of preparation, collaboration, evidence-based improvement, and measurable impact in advancing the global reputation of Philippine higher education institutions.
As Samar Colleges, Inc. continues its pursuit of greater international visibility, the FLAIR Masterclass 2026 – Visayas Leg serves as a timely reminder that global reputation is earned through sustained institutional performance, purposeful innovation, credible evidence, and meaningful impact. The experience provides participating institutions with both a clearer understanding of international rankings and a stronger impetus to turn preparation into concrete action for global engagement.